Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Flexibility!

I remember, when I was about five years old, my parents marveled over my crazy rubber-band of a body. Ah, those were the days! On a good day, I can touch my toes. Keeping that in mind, the flexibility to which the title refers is not of the physical in nature but is more figurative.

While I consider myself to be a 'go-with-the-flow' type of a person, I have to wrestle with and finally reckon with the fact that I am not. Oh, I'm not a grossly controlling or controlled person, and there is much evidence that points to a more laissez-faire tendency. I could haul out all of the evidence to defend myself and say, for example, that I don't keep a regular calendar or planner (a dreaded word to me), that my office is a disaster (as are my closets, my work bag, the state of my panty drawer and all other drawers, really). No, I don't need the stereotypical supports to keep my life under control, it's more a mental thing and a planning thing. I like plans - I like to daydream about them and I also like the follow-thru. I can deal with some plans that change. For example, I was supposed to work and live in Southern CA for three years, MAYBE four years, and then move on to another city, another region, another school... That plan changed as my life changed, and I've dealt quite swimmingly with all of that change. Pats on my back all around.

Life plans that change are one thing, weekend plans that suddenly surge and bolt and form are another beast altogether. In that small-scale, micro-arena, I can become terrifyingly neurotic.

And so, this weekend was a welcome break from "Kristina-the-time-control-freak". Some plans did happen, like drinks on Friday night; some plans formed in an impromptu fashion, like brunch at a friend's place on Saturday morning, blueberry pancakes made by yours truly and we all quaffed a mimosa or two (!); hanging out Saturday afternoon for what was supposed to be an hour or two but extended itself to four; ditching a hike before finishing it and heading to Ventura, CA for a nice, relaxing late morning/early afternoon excursion.

The last item was a bit of a bummer, to me, as I was really looking forward to the hike which offers wonderful 360 degree views. However we were hiking with a friend who is not only not 'athletic' but falls into the 'inactive' category, I believe. That is not a judgmental statement, just a fact. I don't consider myself to be athletic, but Michael and I try to stay active so that we can take the occasional hike. Anyway, he's a great friend and the hike really WAS a bitch, so it didn't hurt us to turn around. Michael and I plan on 'bagging' Mugu Peak at another point and time, so rather than be frustrated that I didn't meet MY personal goal for the day, we called it a morning and headed to Ventura. Life really isn't so bad when you have to face those sorts of choices. I was still, however, impressed that I could take on a more flexible attitude. Maybe there is hope for me yet?

3 comments:

I have serious difficulty taking on a flexible attitude when it comes to exercise. We have friends who are "inactive" as well and when they suggest a walk or hike I know that it shouldn't count as exercise for the day because we move THAT slowly. Honestly, Maya has a faster pace and it drives me nuts. I'm working on it.

So you weren't planning to stay in California? Where were you going to move?

You know I'm not great with flexibility. Yoga-style flexibility? Yes. Life flexiblity? No. Actually, like you, I'm fine if big-picture plans change, but I am neurotic about day-to-day changes that I don't expect. I realize that going with the flow really isn't so bad. I guess I chalk it up to micro managing and control issues. Shrug.

A misnomer

Technically, I don't live in LA, so to think that my blog,"Walking in LA," is a bit of a misnomer. However, it's more the general "Los Angeles/Southern CA" experience that I want to capture, showing both my adventurous and quotidian life. I'm a California transplant, and while I plan to move in five years from now, I'm not sure what will happen. So, in the meantime, I'm focusing on living in SoCal and on enjoying the life I have here, all the while I add to that life.

About Me

40-something wanderer who is settling down but still hankers for a walkabout and adventure. Looking to balance that wanderlust with the responsibility of dogs, relationships, teaching and life in general while staying active and not going crazy!